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So can we just talk about Disney’s Annual Pass Holder Preview of Galaxy’s Edge?

One of the coolest experiences I’ve had at Walt Disney World! I can’t believe OPENING DAY is almost here! It seems just like yesterday they were announcing the new land and now, in two days it will be open to the public!

Let’s be honest…I know absolutely nothing about Star Wars. {Ekk! Yes I know! Star Wars super fans, please don’t hate me.} Having no allegiance to a particular film and having no knowledge of the franchise, I still really enjoyed the new land.

When you enter Galaxy’s Edge you head to a Galaxy far, far away to the land of Batuu.

You will be greeted by Cast Members with the salutation “Bright Suns” or “Rising Moons.” Expect cast members to greet the day with a cheery “Bright suns!” In the evening, a more sedate “Rising moon.”

Once in Batuu there are three different villages guests can experience. The Castmembers in Galaxy’s Edge are residents of Batuu and are skilled at “staying in character.” If you ask them for things like, “Where is Toy Story Land” or ” Where can I get a Mickey Pretzel?” you will not get the answer you are looking for as they will remain in character and since they are residents of Batuu they have no knowledge of these things. If you spot a Cast Member roaming around, ask them a question and learn their story of how they arrived at Batuu. It is a full immersive experience.

The Market Place is an open-air collection of stores and restaurants in the center of Black Spire Outpost filled with “handmade” Star Wars merchandise.

Guests can build their own Droid at the Droid Depot. These customized droids start at about $100. Star Wars fans can also build their own Lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop. These handbuilt lightsabers offer guests the experience to assemble their own version of the iconic weapon for $199.99.

The cuisine in Galaxy’s Edge is very unique- you will not find Mickey Pretzels or Frozen Lemonade here. There are two quick service dining options in Batuu, Ronto Roasters and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Ronto Roastersis a Marketplace restaurant offering grilled sausage and pork wraps. I had the Ronto Wrap, a pita filled with roasted pork, grilled pork sausage drizzled with a Peppercorn sauce and topped with tangy slaw. It was delicious! It’s a great value for $12.99 and easily filled me up.

Docking Bay 7 has a variety of food from around the galaxy. They offer Breakfast items as well as a full day menu. I just tried a dessert, the Batuu-Bon and oh my gosh y’all was it delicious! Melt in your mouth good! It was a chocolate cake, white chocolate mousse, coffee custard dessert. For $6.99 it was a stunning presentation and so yummy!

I didn’t make it to Oga’s Cantina for a cocktail or the Milk Standfor a legendary glass of Blue or Green Milk. I wanted to save both of those spots for when HeliHubby gets to go with me.

The ride has regular standby, Fast Pass and two Single rider lines which is fantastic! This is by far the most immersive, life like ride at Walt Disney World. A group of 6 guests board the Millennium Falcon and work together to fly it. Each rider as a duty while onboard the ship and depending on how your team works together will depend on how your flight experience goes. The best spot to be in is the Pilot- you have an up close, forward facing experience to the screen. The other four guests in your party have a blocked view of the screen and personally I found it really distracting that I had to look to my left or right to push buttons during flight. You have to watch for buttons to light up and you end up missing a lot of what is going on during the flight on the screen. It is so incredibly life like.

If you are a Star Wars fan or not, a visit to Galaxy’s Edge is a MUST! The land opens to the public in just TWO DAYS on August 29th. Guests staying on Walt Disney World property will have special Extra Magic Hours from September 1 to November 2 from 6-9 a.m.

Who’s going on Opening Day?

Thank you Disney for this fantastic preview experience! It is one for the books that I will never forget!

See You Real Soon!

We hope you’re enjoying your Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed moments as much as we are!

Yay! It is here y’all…well it actually started last week, but TODAY was my first time visiting the festival this year.

I started the day at a VIP Pass Holder Playtime in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. Ahhh-MAAAAZE-ING y’all! Don’t worry, I will be sharing all the details from one of the best Disney days I’ve ever had soon, but for now we are talking all about Food & Wine!

After riding all the rides at Hollywood Studios it was time for me to Park Hop! Frozen Ever After had a 20 minute wait, so I figured I’d make my way over to Epcot. Since today was my first time visiting the Park during this year’s Food & Wine Festival, I immediately headed over to the Festival Center to get my Annual Pass Holder Magnet.

Coincidence or perfect timing? I just happened to get to Epcot in time for lunch! Eating my way around the world it is! There are SO many choices y’all and I want to try them all!

I started my way around the World Showcase scoping out the various menus and Japan’ Teriyaki Chicken Bun sounded too good to pass up!

Oh my heavens y’all! The Teriyaki Chicken Bun was delicious! It’s a steamed bun filled with Chicken, Veggies and a Sweet Teriyaki Sauce. It is the perfect tasting portion and full of flavor. I highly recommend and would definitely consider getting it again during this year’s festival.

From Japan I continued on my journey around the World Showcase and stopped in the Good Ole’ US of A. Hops and Barley had one of my favorite eats at last year’s Festival. Naturally, I just had to have the New England Lobster Roll again this year!

So, so, so tasty! A griddled bun topped with warm lobster meat and a Fresh Herb Mayo. It literally melts in your mouth y’all. Its all delicious, but I LOVE the griddle bun. It is a perfect sized bite, although I wouldn’t complain if they made it bigger!

I am heading back to the Festival tomorrow for another VIP Event and looking forward to trying a few more dishes. Have you visited the festival this year? What are some of your favorite, MUST TRY dishes? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

See You Real Soon!

We hope you’re enjoying your Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed moments as much as we are!

Two of my favorite things in one place; my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha and Disney. Oh be still my heart. I can’t help but do a little happy dance.

It’s a Way Back Wednesday with Walt- join me as I reminisce on my latest Walt Disney World trip with two of my ZTA Sisters during our National Conference in Orlando this July.

The three of us girls were like kids in a candy store as we arrived at the Magic Kingdom for the Rope Drop and our day at the Happiest Place On Earth. It had been years for both AM and EB since they had last been to Magic Kingdom. The girls used their favorite Key To The World Travel Planner for their One-Day Base Park Ticket and at our 30 day countdown mark I had our Fast Passes booked for three of the park’s busiest rides: Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

On our todo list? EVERYTHING, but first we were off to get Mickey Ears and meet the main mouse himself!

We rode almost every ride in Magic Kingdom and sampled (almost) every Instagramable snack. Dole Whips, check! Hey, it’s fruit! It makes a for a healthy Disney Breakfast, right?

A mid-afternoon Frozen Mickey, check! The perfect sweet treat to help you cool off while standing in line at Haunted Mansion.

It wouldn’t be a TOY STORY LAND Grand Opening celebration without Toy Story Cookie-dough Pops before boarding our rocket ship and taking off with Buzz to fight the evil Emperor Zurg!

I am sure you know, Orlando is brutally hot in July. To help us break up the day and refresh a bit, since we were “rope dropping and never stopping,” I got us lunch reservations at Jungle Navigation Skipper Canteen. It is a must for a long day at Magic Kingdom and my FAVORITE in the park restaurant. We shared the S.E.A. Shu Mai, Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas, Perkins Thai Noodles (my favorite- they are spicy), and Falls Family Falafel. We also tried, but is not pictured, “Tastes like Chicken” Because it is!

Before we knew it, our day at the Magic Kingdom was quickly coming to an end.

After lunch we took in a few more rides, danced to the Move-it-Shake-it Parade down Main Street U.S.A. and made sure to see the Happily Ever After Fireworks before making our way back to the Transportation and Ticket Center and head home.

See…even at 32 without kids Disney World can be a magical and I’d love to help you plan your vacation just like I did for AM and EB! Shoot us a message and I’ll be happy to get you on your way to the Happiest Place On Earth!

See You Real Soon!

We hope you’re enjoying your Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed moments as much as we are!

Welcome to Borgo Argenina, a truly magical stone estate in the hills of Chianti.

Visiting Borgo Argentina was an experience like no other and my absolute favorite part of our Newly Newlywed Italian Adventure. The 998 AD Peasant Farmer home had been abandoned for years when, now owner, Elena Nappa, discovered the property while on a holiday from Milan. A former fashion designer, Elena quickly fell in love with the estate. She knew in her heart it was a calling for her to restore the hamlet into a stunning seven room Bed & Breakfast and that is exactly what she did. Her story of how she transformed this property without electricity and running water into a fully functioning Bed and Breakfast is really remarkable.

Adam and I drove from Florence to the Chianti hamlet. Passing thousands of grape vines and olive trees, around curvy bends, narrowingly escaping head on collisions with Italian drivers and through the rolling hills to get to Elena’s. Upon arrival at Borgo Argenina we were greeted by Elena’s four-legged friends, Giuseppina and Pasqualina along with other guests who were sitting on the grand stone patio, enjoying a glass of vino taking in the sunset over Chianti.

“Welcome! You must be new! Elena is upstairs in the Kitchen.” one guest said. Instantly we were family.

Our journey at Borgo Argenina began as we passed the bell to ring for Elena if you arrive after hours and opened the original wooden double doors adorned with iron locks and handles.

Once inside the main house, up the narrow stone stairway with one tiny window over looking the garden, we found Elena, tooting around her kitchen.

She grabbed the keys and escorted us to the Piccola Suite, our home for the next four days. We had a quaint sitting room adjacent to our bedroom, an attached private bath and views of the rolling Chianti Hills and Elena’s garden.

Each room is equip with a mini bar and tea kettle that is refreshed daily, wifi and a hairdryer. (Yay! One less thing to pack!) There is no air conditioning at Borgo Argenina, thankfully, even during the Summer months the nights were cool and a flowing breeze filled our room. Elena took us downstairs, showed us the Parlor and Breakfast Room before heading outside.

After a tour of our suite and parts of the property we sat down with Elena on the stone patio outside. She shared some of her favorite places in Tuscany with us over a glass of wine.

We chatted for what felt like hours of friends catching up before we realized the time and that we were late for a supper reservation she made for us at Giorgio’s. We will share that experience with y’all a little later. Delizioso!

Every morning, Borgo Argenina guests are greeting to a beautiful breakfast spread prepared by two of Elena’s three employees. On the daily menu: Fresh Coffee, homemade Yogurt, local meats, cheeses and honey, fresh fruit, and varieties of Elena’s Coffee Cake.

Elena also invites her guests to a nightly Cooking Class at Borgo Argenina. If you’re staying with her, this is a MUST! It was by far the best food we had during our time in Italy and if she had extra room we would have taken the class a second time! Each guest is gifted with her Borgo Argenina Cookbook-filled with Elena’s family recipes and traditional Italian dishes. The time we spent in the kitchen with Elena and other guests was a highlight of our trip. Pop over next Monday to see what was on our Menu!

Y’all, I really can not express how much HeliHubby and I enjoyed our time at Borgo Argenina. It is in a perfect location to be a “home base” for Montepulciano, Volterra, Siena and more little Tuscan Wine towns. It’s truly an enchanting, one of a kind Italian escape. Elena is absolutely wonderful. She is warm, welcoming and lovely. We felt like we had known her for years and yet we just met. Leaving we all three got a bit teary eyed as we said our “goodbyes.” I don’t know when the Newly Newlyweds will get to return to Chianti to visit Elena, but I do know HeliHubby and I both left a piece of our hearts in Tuscany at Borgo Argenina. It is just magical.

If you’re considering a Tuscan Vacation I highly reccomened you consider Borgo Argenina as your home. Have questions about the hamlet or want help planning your vacation? Feel free to message us- I am happy to help!

Fino all prossima volta, we hope you’re enjoying your Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed moments as much as we are!

Can you think of a better way to spend a Wednesday? {Other than being at Walt Disney World of course!}

With the latest news from your favorite Newly Newlyweds announced earlier this week, we thought what better way to share our (Holly’s) joy and excitement for her newest endeavor!

“Wednesdays with Walt” will be just that. A weekly blog series about any and all things Walt Disney related. Watch for recaps of recent trips and restaurant reviews. We will of course, share some of our favorite tips and tricks along the way and answer any Disney related questions you may have! Who knows you may get a Walt Disney history lesson one day!

We look forward to you tuning next week Musketeers!

Until then, we hope you’re enjoying your {Disney} Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed moments as much as we are! Ta-Ta for now or “TTYN” as Tigger would say!

If you know HeliHubby and I through our blog or in real life, you have probably caught on to a few things about us.

We love to travel.

I am quite the planner.

I have a {healthy} love for Disney, that Adam is slowly starting to appreciate.

If I was a betting lady (and I am) I’d bet in 2018, Adam and I have spent more nights in a hotel than in our own home. You tell us when and where and bags are packed and we’re out the door! Traveling has always been a big part of our relationship. While we were on our first date we traveled to the Georgia/Alabama boarder, just so we could say we crossed the state line, knowing it would make for a good story later down the road. We took our first trip together to New York City after only knowing each other for three weeks. Adam works in aviation, I used to be a flight attendant, we got engaged in a helicopter, arrived at our Wedding reception in the same one and y’all know we just added, “Elsa,” our 1967 Cessna 182 to our family.

Road Trips, plane rides, cruises, you name it. If we have an opportunity seek a new adventure, we go explore!

Part of the traveling aspect I love the most is the planning. Researching the cities we’re visiting, finding the local favorites, best restaurants and things to see. I do it all! I’ve always been an organizer and planner. From planning Sorority functions to being hired for private event planning jobs, vacations for Adam and I or for family and friends. I am always planning. Don’t get me wrong, not ALL things are planned. We are semi-spontainous when we travel and in daily life. We do however, try our best to maximize our time while on vacation and planning correctly is a big part of that.

Since October I have gone to Disney World at least once a month. (The benefits of living within driving distance and having an Annual Pass.) Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in October, a “just because” visit in November, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with the family in December, another “just because trip” in January, ran the Walt Disney World Princess 10k in February, and in March for Spring Break and Spring Training. Now some call this a little extreme or even an obsession- ha! I like to think of it as a more enjoyable way to get in my daily steps. It doesn’t matter your reasoning for going or how old you are, Disney is always magical. From the moment you walk through the front gates, hear the music playing in the background and the smells of popcorn and cotton candy fill the air, you can’t help but get butterflies of excitement.

Don’t you wish you were there now?

Friends and family heading to Disney always reach out asking for help in planning their Disney Trip- Where should they stay? What fast passes should they get? What’s the best character dining? I get giddy with excitement for them and all the fun I know they will have at Walt Disney World. I love having the opportunity to help them plan their magical adventure.

So……after countless friends and family suggesting, years of researching and thinking it over I’m taking the plunge and becoming a TRAVEL PLANNER with Key To The World Travel!

PINCH ME!

Is this a dream? I have found a career path that ties all of my favorite things together, traveling, planning and Disney. I could not be more excited! So while I am going to be specializing in Disney Destinations, I can plan any vacation for you! Cruises, All-Inclusvies, excursions, you name it, I can plan it!

Thank you to all my friends and family that encouraged me to pursue this new path. Thank you for trusting me to help plan your vacations and referring me to your friends too! I am thrilled to be doing Travel Planning and can not thank each of you enough for your support while I embark on this new adventure!

Let’s get your bags packed and start planning your next vacation!

We hope you’re enjoying your Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed adventures as much as we are!

Are you dreaming of Disney on this Travel Tuesday? We just returned from a quick weekend trip. I too, am wishing we were walking our way around Epcot. Sipping on seasonal cocktails and enjoying the fantastic March weather during the Flower and Garden Festival!

Come on! Take the stroll around Epcot with us! It’s not just for kids- adults can love Disney too!

We arrived at Epcot via boat from the Swan & Dolphin Hotel. Did you know you can do that? We went through the back entrace by the International Gateway. It was there we made a quick right to cross the bridge into France, where our day Tasting Around The World began!

Our first stop was at Les Vins des Chefs de France for a little cocktail! We cheersed to our Day of Disney with a glass of Champagne and Adam had a French Beer similar to a Blue Moon.

Also in France is Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, where we had a yummy French Duo- a White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake. SO good y’all! It just melted in your mouth. The Mousse was so creamy- clearly this was not a Whole30 Day!

Did you know you could travel 1,200 miles in just three minutes? You can! At Epcot anyway! From France we made our way to Morocco where Adam had his second beverage, a Casa Beer, an original Lager from the host country.

After Morocco we made our way to Japan where Adam and I shared a Sapporno Beer from Kabuki Cafe.

We passed through the American Adventure (we can have a Bud Lite anytime y’all) to Italy for another glass of Bubbly!

Next, we headed to Biergarten Restaurant in Germany where Adam took in the, ehh, local fashion culture and even found himself an Epcot souvenir!

China was next on our list, before we headed to Norway for a Beer with Olaf!

I think a Margarita is calling my name! Is it for you too? Mexico was next where we had Cucumber Lime Margaritas. A mix of Tequila Avión Blanco, Fresh Cucumber, Orange Liqueur, Lime Juice and Agave Nectar. Whew y’all! These little babies were strong! Stronger than we expected for sure! We washed down Beef Empanadas filled with Barbacoa Beef, topped with Chipotle Sauce, Crema Mexicana and Queso Fresco and served with a side of Corn Esquites with our Margaritas from Choza de Margarita.

We finished our snack in Mexico and headed North to Canada for a little beer eh!

We crossed the pond for a Half & Half at the Rose & Crown Pub in England for our final beverage on our World Tour of Epcot.

Well just like that we traveled thousands of miles and tasted ten new toddies in a few short hours! What’s your favorite country to visit while at Epcot? Do you have a favorite cocktail or meal you have to get while visiting? We’d love to hear about it!

Wouldn’t it be nice to be back in Orlando making our way through Epcot and the World Showcase? Who knows…with just a little Pixie Dust anything can happen! Maybe HeliHubby and I will make our return sooner than planned!

We hope you’re enjoying your Newly Newlywed or Nearly Newlywed Disney moments as much as we are!